Presenting a literary history of American writing (from 1492 to 1820) and a concise social and cultural history, Emory Elliott traces the impact of race, gender, and ethnic conflict on early American culture. He explores the centrality of American Puritanism in the formation of a distinctively American literature. This highly comprehensive study is essential reading for students of the literature, history and culture of early America.

Preface Acknowledgments

1 Brave New World 2 The language of Salem witchcraft 3 The dream of a Christian utopia 4 Personal narrative and history 5 Poetry 6 The Jeremiad 7 Reason and revivalism 8 Toward the formation of a United States

Presenting a literary history of American writing (from 1492 to 1820) and a concise social and cultural history, Emory Elliott traces the impact of race, gender, and ethnic conflict on early American culture. He explores the centrality of American Puritanism in the formation of a distinctively American literature. This highly comprehensive study is essential reading for students of the literature, history and culture of early America.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments

1 Brave New World 2 The language of Salem witchcraft 3 The dream of a Christian utopia 4 Personal narrative and history 5 Poetry 6 The Jeremiad 7 Reason and revivalism 8 Toward the formation of a United States